2,800 to take part in 2026 iteration of Cope Thunder bilateral exercise

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the U.S. Pacific Air Forces officially opened the 2026 iteration of Exercise Cope Thunder 26-1 during a ceremony held at Clark Air Base in Pampanga.

Formally kicking off the annual exercise was PAF Major General Dennis Estrella, Commander, Air Logistics Commander, in a ceremony on Monday, April 6.

The bilateral exercise will run from April 6 to 17 and will involve approximately 2,800 PAF and PACAF personnel in various Northern Luzon areas with Brigadier General Angelito Retuta leading the PAF, and Brigadier General Phillip Mallory, Hawaii Air National Guard Commander, commanding the US contingent. 

For this year’s edition, a key highlight of the exercise involves an aerial engagement between the PAF’s FA-50 Fighting Eagle fighter jet and the PACAF’s F-22 Raptor that will test both aircraft's tactical agility.

A prominent example of the long-standing defense alliance between the Philippines and the US, Cope Thunder 26-1, the PAF said the exercise “is designed to strengthen interoperability between the PAF and PACAF. The training underscores a shared commitment to promoting regional security and fostering deeper cooperation through high-intensity aerial maneuvers and tactical exchange.”

Estrella emphasized that this iteration “serves as a vital platform for refining the PAF’s operational capabilities and ensuring a collective readiness to maintain peace and stability in the region.” —RF, GMA News